Samthara is an act of courage and rational thinking
Should anyone be allowed to
embrace death when one wants to? What does an individual who renounces his life
fill about it when the death is nearing?
Recently, scores of people Jains and non-Jains, could pose this questions to
such an individual in Mumbai and get an answer. In addition, this individual was
no ordinary man. He was once the MD of Bharat Bijlee Ltd. for 32 years.
Jethabhai Zaveri was a rational student of modern science and engineering and it
can be safely presumed that his decision was taken after carefully weighing
every aspect of the matter. He decided to renounce food and medicines. Moreover,
remained firm to his resolve. That was in spite of the fact that all his six
sons and one daughter was capable of doing everything under the sun to keep him
alive and healthy. On 6 October 1993, inside the ICU of Krishna Cardiac Hospital
of Dr. Ashok Panjabi, he diced to implement the decision he had taken five years
ago, on his 79th birthday that, he would leave his body when it would not serve
any useful purpose.
On 7 October 1993, Sadhvi (nun) Sohan Kumariji administered the vow of Samthara,
which denotes severe penance without any nourishment leading to realization of
eternal peace. For the next 41 days, the 84 years old man did not take a morsel
of food or a tablet of medicine, allowing himself only to drink water.
Visitors and journalists who came to take his Darshan posed him the question: Is
it not a suicide? He replied: No, this is not suicide. Suicide is an act of
cowardice while Samthara is an act of courage and rational thinking. It is a
step taken with full knowledge and understanding that the soul never dies.
Back home from ICU, Pappaji (as he was called) showed signs of positive
improvements in health after he had stopped taking any food and medicines. His
breathing problem eased, he could think and speak clearly giving big surprises
to the medics.
A total of 41 days without food and medication, but of Preksha Meditation, and
he was trying to explain to his dear ones that: I am not in love for life, nor
do I have any attachment to you and therefore you should have no attachment for
me.
He said: I do not fear death at the same time I am not enamored of life. He gave
many discourses explaining the science of living as well as science of dyeing.
Hundreds of people visited when the house became a place of pilgrimage.
Harino Marag che Shoorano, Nahi Kayara nu Kaam Jone.....
Related links
Awesome - Twosome - Zaveri J + J
